Netizens heat up wall campaigns

Very Urgent Notice.Guys Kindly Check EVM Before voting by pressing the BJP icon that the voting machines is (sic) properly working or not

Dear Congress... Work hard... Intensify the campaign... Be aggressive... Be positive... Tell the people the change that has come during the last ten years. We are with you

Aam Aadmi Party is the lone party which is run by unpaid volunteers, unlike other parties who have lakhs on their rolls. Plzz vote 4 d bright minds, who have left their livelihood, who have sacrificed everything for a change in this country

As the world’s largest democracy goes voting from Monday, supporters of every political party are aggressively using social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp to make their pitch to the electorate.

It’s well-known that every political party and personality have their own web pages and Twitter handles.

But, come poll season, people in general are more interested in political topics. Gossip, pictures of virtual friends on dates and vacations and funny links seem to have taken a back seat.

Not only slogans and posts, many individuals are even uploading pictures and videos of their political affiliations, fast turning social networking sites into political battlefields.

“These days all you get to see on Facebook or Twitter are political posts. Either a person is rooting for his/her favourite party or criticising other candidates. This time, individuals are trying their best to influence others through posts and campaigns on social media. A large number of people, especially the young and educated urbanites, use these sites,” said Jamshedpur-based businessman Bharat Vasani, who also regularly uses Facebook and WhatsApp.

So, education, reservation, infrastructure, growth, economic development and employment are some of the topics trending on these sites. Besides, there are memes and political jokes that tickle the funny bones of many.

Another businessman, Amit Kumar, feels social network support for a political cause is possible when people actually enjoy the process.

“Posting something political and earning FB likes or comments mean there are enough like-minded people who encourage such discussions,” Kumar added.

No wonder, college goers form a bulk of these. Students, many of whom are going to exercise their franchise for the first time, are in poll mood.

“Both TV and the social media give you live updates. Students are discussing hardcore politics and paying extra attention to local issues as well,” said Avika Kumar, a student of Jamshedpur Women’s College.

Asked whom she is rooting for, the third-year history student was diplomatic enough to say: “May the best party win.”